Bakersfield Police and Chase Bank Host Free Fraud Prevention Workshop

Event focused on identifying and protecting against common financial scams.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:19am

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, torn bank statement with a credit card number partially visible, conceptually illustrating the threat of financial fraud.A recent fraud prevention workshop in Bakersfield aimed to arm residents with the knowledge to identify and avoid common financial scams.Bakersfield Today

Chase Bank and the Bakersfield Police Department recently hosted a free workshop to help local residents learn about identifying and protecting themselves from various financial scams, including fake texts, spoofed calls, phishing emails, and fraudulent payment requests.

Why it matters

Financial fraud and scams continue to be a major issue, with criminals increasingly using sophisticated tactics to target unsuspecting victims. This workshop aimed to empower community members with the knowledge and tools to recognize and avoid falling victim to these types of scams.

The details

The fraud prevention workshop took place at a Chase Bank location in Bakersfield as part of National Financial Literacy Month. Attendees learned about common scam techniques, such as criminals posing as friends, government institutions, or other trusted entities to pressure people into making payments or divulging sensitive information. The event was led by Natasha Felkins, the community manager for JPMorgan Chase.

  • The fraud prevention workshop was held on April 17, 2026.
  • The event was part of National Financial Literacy Month.

The players

Bakersfield Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that co-hosted the fraud prevention workshop with Chase Bank.

Chase Bank

The financial institution that partnered with the Bakersfield Police Department to organize and host the free fraud prevention workshop for community members.

Natasha Felkins

The community manager for JPMorgan Chase who led the fraud prevention workshop.

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What they’re saying

“Most folks are experiencing scams that have the pretense of them knowing someone whether it's someone they know as a friend or an entity like the IRS or government institutions and so it's really important that we take a step back when we feel like we're being pressured to pay or spend money or send money anywhere um it's in those moments of urgency that often we make a mistake.”

— Natasha Felkins, Community Manager, JPMorgan Chase

The takeaway

This workshop highlights the ongoing need for public-private partnerships and community-based efforts to educate people about the latest financial fraud tactics and empower them to protect their personal and financial information.